Super success

The Michigan Outboard Boaters and Great Lake Chapters of the Antique Outboard Motor Club held the 17th annual "Constantine Super Meet" last weekend at American Legion Post No. 223.

Chairmen of this year's meet were Gary Clark from MOB and Gary Lauer of the Antique Outboard Motor Club. More than 60 members of both clubs registered for the event.

A full schedule of events at the meet included a Bob Hatcher Trophy Competition, time trials, a swap and sell event, rowboat motor anti-race, how slow can you go contest, out-of-gas contest, the outboard motor mystery part hunt (kid's event) and an awards ceremony, among other things. Boat motors were judged in 11 categories, plus "Concours d'Elegance" awards were presented for over-restored motors. An award was presented for the oldest running gas powered outboard. It required sustained running on a boat on the St. Joseph River.

A definition of classes for display motors includes: Antique — a motor manufactured on or before 1950, Classic — motor manufactured from 1951 through 1983, Restored — motor that has parts painted, buffed or plated to original specs or has new decals, Original — motor that has only been cleaned and waxed since manufacture.

MOB president Rick Eichrodt said the weather cooperated for this year's event.

"It was 105 degrees, blistering hot last year. It was brutal. Nobody was running boats. It was so hot you could fry an egg on the aluminum in the boat if you tried to take it out, and everybody just stayed inside their tents or campers, or went inside for a beer," Eichrodt said with a laugh. "Today it's beautiful out, nice blue skies and a light breeze."

"There are only a few events like Constantine. From day one, Joe Whetstone with the Legion promoted us, and sadly, he will be missed. We want to thank the American Legion, both chapters. We are very happy to be here and enjoy it. It's all about motors, friendship and just having fun," he added.

"It's one of the rarest motors in the world and might only be the second one to run in club history. It fired once. It's worth the price of a new car if you can get it running. I bought it from a guy in Texas. He ran it in 1971, filled it full of oil and shut it down," Klotz said.

"This is a sought after item. There are only a dozen in the club, but this is a tractor racing version. That's what makes it so rare," Eichrodt added.

Klotz specializes in outboards made between 1896 and 1940. Because of their age, motors are in poor shape. and it sometimes take three of four motors to compile enough parts for a restoration.

Kent Van Ernst from Northport, Mich. displayed a 1934 C-14 motor.

"I went from collecting antique cars to collecting pre-1950 outboard and inboard boat motors, any racing motors plus wood racing boats. I like unrestored items. That's just me," he said.